Police bust burglary ring

A 31-year-old man arrested on a prison warrant inadvertently gave Seattle police information about a large-scale burglary ring and his accomplices, officials said Wednesday.

In total, Seattle police arrested four men officers believe are responsible for the commercial and residential thefts in North Seattle, downtown, Magnolia, the International District and other areas, department spokeswoman Renee Witt said.

“This was a major bust for the detectives,” she said.

The stolen items are worth tens of thousands of dollars and include a 2008 Ford Explorer and a 1995 Honda Civic, she said.

As part of the operation, officers on Tuesday searched storage facilities and recovered a flat-screen TV, computer hard drives, power tools, a large amount of cash and computers, including an iMac.

Witt declined to say how much cash was found because the case is continuing.

Officers also arrested a 26-year-old man wanted on a theft warrant in Tukwila and a 36-year-old woman who authorities said was involved in a homicide or manslaughter.

Witt did not have details about where or when that death occurred. She said those two people were found with the men.

The men nabbed in connection with the thefts include the 31-year-old, who is a Seattle resident, a 38-year-old, 36-year-old and a 24-year-old, Witt said.

Detectives still need to take inventory of the recovered items, she added. If they can identify the owners, they will contact them about the found goods.